Rail

FTA's Rogoff tours DART Green Line

Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff visited three stations along the Dallas Area Rapid Transit's (DART) 28-mile Green Line light rail expansion project to see, firsthand, the robust economic development resulting from the federal government's investments in the region.

Under the President's proposed FY 2013 budget, Dallas area residents could see more than a 6% increase in federal transit funding compared to FY 2012 estimates.

One of the significant construction projects under way, a $3 billion undertaking, involves Parkland Memorial Hospital relocating to be closer to the Green Line's Medical District/Parkland station. Parkland Memorial Hospital is the primary hospital for the county and the training/teaching facility for the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

"The economic development along the Green Line is remarkable and it's happening in other cities across the country where local officials have embraced transit choice," said Administrator Rogoff. "Better access to jobs and state-of-the-art medical facilities at Baylor University and Parkland Memorial really mean a better quality of life for Dallas residents."

The Green Line project is expected to provide $5.6 billion in economic impact and help create 48,000 long-term jobs in the North Texas region, according to DART. To date, DART has received $700 million from the federal government, including a $78 million payment that was made ahead of schedule under a provision in the Recovery Act.

Administrator Rogoff kicked off the tour at Hatcher Station, Baylor University Medical Center Station and Southwest Medical District/Parkland Station with DART President/Executive Director Gary Thomas. Others on the tour included community leader Willie Mae Coleman, Ruben Esquivel of Southwestern Medical District, Tim Glass and Sue Hounsel representing the City of Dallas Economic Development.

Rail Operations is currently in the process of replacing all stub end tracks at Hoboken Terminal with new sliding friction bumper blocks, as well as advancing a speed control system for trains entering Hoboken Terminal.

The $99 million streetcar opened in December 2014 amid sky-high expectations, but ridership failed to meet expectations in its first year and plummeted nearly 60% after the city began charging $1 to ride.